Here are some customer reviews of
Return Of The Champions
: When I had first heard that Paul Rodgers was joing Queen, I was dumbfounded. How could Paul Rodgers hope to pull off the vocal range/style of Freddie Mercury? Personally, after seeing the Freddie Mercury tribute concert shortly after his death, I had seriously hoped George Michael might be asked to join the band. His performance was one of the highlights from that concert.
However, back to Paul Rodgers. I have to say, I was pleasently surprised to say the least. I'm sure it is partially due to song selection. I really feel there are some Queen songs that Paul would not be able to pull off. There was no doubt that I wasn't listening to Freddie, but there were many times I forgot I was listening to Paul. I'm really glad to be able to hear Queen perform again (even if it is only Rodger and Brian, please come out of retirement John). Now, how about some new songs???
Oh yeah, despite being a live album, the overall sound quality is pretty good. Right in line with many of the previous Queen live recordings but maybe even a little bit better. Now, is there a DVD available?
 This live release from Queen+Paul Rodgers is an excerpt of an entire concert performed by the crew at Hallam FM Arena in May of this year. Now, in reviewing it as a rock album, this is a 5 star affair, no question. The guitar work from Brian May might be the thing to rave most about on this double album, as his sound is very clear, and his solos and riffs are fantastic in every song. Now, to review the music as a whole.
The crowd energy really helps to produce a great effect, and the sound of the recording is crystal clear. "Tie Your Mother Down" is easily one of the best tracks on the listing, mainly for the sensational guitar work. Paul Rodgers sings with great energy too, contributing to this great rocker. For the most part, Paul Rodgers does a very good job filling Mercury's shoes, using his own style rather than mimicking Mercury's voice. It's difficult to say which disc is stronger, since they both have their shining moments and weaker tracks. Great highlights include a very good rendition of "Hammer To Fall", "Say It's Not True", written and sung by Roger Taylor, "Fat Bottomed Girls", "'39" with May on vocals, and "I'm In Love With My Car".
As for the 2nd disc, it mainly seems to focus on Queen's 80s material, and the group gets an opportunity certain songs live which they never had a chance to do before. "I Want It All" rocks out pretty well, and the Innuendo album tracks "Show Must Go On" and "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" are also strong cuts.
Now most of you reading this review are probably wondering where this album lost a star. Well, the reason I knocked one off is simply because these recordings aren't quite to the standards of any previous recording by Queen. Mercury was a stronger front man, however Paul Rodgers certainly does deserve credit for his strong vocal performance. The Queen recordings in general are superior to the Bad Company songs. There are a couple skippable songs on here, but for the most part it is enjoyable. Recommended, and it definitely deserves a nomination for album of the year.
First off, no one can replace Freddie Mercury, the charisma, the showmanship and one remarkable, iconic voice. Unless of course you recruit, one of the finest voices of this or any generation...the deeply soulful Paul Rodgers. That man could sing the phone book and make it have depth and meaning. I hoped this live disc would be good....and dear lord it is one strong recording of Queen, Free and Bad Company classics...if you don't get goosebumps a coupla times during this cd, then ya ain't listening...especially during "Love of My life", the way the crowd belts out the opening verses. Brian May, for whatever reason, has never truly gotten the attention that a world class and unique guitarist should...he truly wails thruout this concert. Both Roger and Brian handle some leads that Freddie excelled on, and Paul more than properly handles his duties. I am sure some people will think this a sacrelige to Freddie, but I'm not one..having been a Queen fan since the debut (caught them live at a small college in NEPA with Mott the Hoople that year--too many years ago). Listen to the crowd on this...look at the faces on the people in the pics (Freddie's mum is there)...they WELCOME this and if this propels anyone to go back to get I or II or Sheer Heart Attack---freakin great, all the better...ALL my hopes and expectations have come true with the "Return of the Champions". Standout cuts: "Tie Your Mother Down", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "All Right Now" and "Another One Bites the Dust". I think Freddie would give this a thumbs up....Paul gives this so much soul...and Brian and Roger deliver the unmistakeable Queen sound. We Will Rock You Indeed!
 Well, I don't know why all that fuzz just because Bryan and Roger decided to move on and hit the road. Anyway, this is another one of that reunions that they make sometimes. Like the George Michael and Queen gig. Or the Tribute Concert for Freddie Mercury, with lots of special guests. This last one only had a little more hype because they got a permanent lead singer, as a special guest. Just look at the name: "Queen PLUS Paul Rodgers". Means two things:
1) He's not a member of the band
2) He's not replacing Freddie Mercury
Well, about the record: it's a great rock show. That's all. Paul tries very hard, he's very on it, he really is. But we all know that there are much better choices to cover the hole that Freddie left, long ago, like Gary Cherone and George Michael, two guys that did a hell of a job in the tribute concerts. Despite that, I liked some versions of Paul for songs like Bohemian Raphsody (with the classical playback with the Freddie's voice and image on the screen), or We are the Champions. And, of course, the ones that Roger and Bryan sings makes us back in time. My advice? Rent before you buy this, unless you are a really die hard Queen fan.
Half of the band is back, and the sound is great indeed. It may be easy to replace John Deacon, but Freddie's shoes could never be filled. Still, this is a great CD. The new Roger Taylor song "Say it's not true" is pretty much worth the price of the CD alone. Having been a fan of the band for 30 years, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic and a bit sad while listening. I admire Brian May and Roger for Rockin' on. Would have Freddie Rocked on if another member of the band had died? More than likely, yes. So we can't resent Brian & Roger for doing so. But I still can't shake the feeling that I'm cheating on Freddie. That's why I can't give this CD the full 5 stars. The other star is in heaven.
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